Beholder puts in final major work for Clement L. Hirsch

DEL MAR, Calif. – It took a little longer than expected, but Beholder, the two-time champion, had her final major workout on Wednesday for the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes on Aug. 1 at Del Mar.

Working in company with Grade 2 winner Moulin de Mougin, Beholder worked a mile in 1:40.20, a time that reflected the deep nature of the Del Mar main track Wednesday morning.

“It’s pretty tiring,” trainer Richard Mandella said.

Ridden by Gary Stevens, Beholder began alongside Moulin de Mougin and worked slightly behind and to the outside of the stablemate. Turning into the stretch, Beholder took the lead while racing wide and finished about four lengths in front.

The margin was a reflection of Moulin de Mougin’s inability to handle the dirt, Mandella said.

“The other filly kind of fell apart in the last quarter-mile,” Mandella said.

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Moulin de Mougin is a candidate for the $250,000 John C. Mabee Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf Aug. 8, a race she won in 2014.

Beholder races for B. Wayne Hughes and was the champion 2-year-old filly of 2012 and champion 3-year-old filly of 2013.

The Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes is run at 1 1/16 miles and is the top race of the summer meeting for fillies and mares. Beholder’s competition is expected to include two Grade 1 winners from the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting – Warren’s Veneda, who won the Santa Margarita Stakes in March, and Stellar Wind, who won the Santa Anita Oaks in April.

Stellar Wind worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Wednesday. Other candidates for the Hirsch are Honey Ride, Sam’s Sister, and Thegirlinthatsong.